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No anti-war messages at the Grammys?

wembley can change in 28 days

19:39 / 22.02.03

From http://www.drudgereport.com/cbs.htm:

Top CBS executives are deeply concerned that Sunday night's GRAMMY Awards may turn from a celebration of music -- into a giant anti-war political rally, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.

The GRAMMY broadcast, which is set to air live from New York City, will feature performances by Eminem, Sheryl Crow, Springsteen, Coldplay, James Taylor and others.

Word has reached network suites how one star is allegedly planning a dramatic anti-war gesture.

"I would hope the artists will remember they are on stage because of their music," a top CBS source told the DRUDGE REPORT Friday morning.

20:05 / 22.02.03

More from the article:

During this week's BRITS award show, Coldplay's Chris Martin yelled out to the audience: "We are all going to die when George Bush has his way. But at least we are going to go out with a bang."

The CBS executive warned microphones may be unplugged on Sunday night if live performances turn political.

"It, of course, is a final option [to cut the microphone.] But it's a very real option," said the top source, who demanded anonymity.

"There is a time for political commentary, this is not one of them!"

Fuck off, grandpa. When IS a good time?

20:15 / 22.02.03

Oh c'mon! There needs to be a division between the worlds of music and politics. If a politician started singing at random, you'd want their mike to be cut, right?
Unless it's that delightful John Ashcroft...

20:02 / 24.02.03

I'd be really surprised if Bruce Springsteen doesn't say something.

20:35 / 24.02.03

Damn, it was last night.

Apparently, there was stuff in the air:

Lifetime achievement award winners Simon and Garfunkel started the show by performing The Sound of Silence.

Asked whether they chose the song as an anti-war protest, Art Garfunkel said: "We're aware that it has a resonance for the time, yes.

"We chose it because it's the first hit we had and sort of bookends on our career."

Flaming Lips lead singer Wayne Coyne, who won best rock instrumental performance for Approaching Pavonis Mons By Balloon (Utopia Planitia) wore a blue plaster under his right eye.

He said it was "to draw attention to the fact that we are not supposed to talk about the war and peace. Stop the war. Let's find other ways. Hey, no black eyes".

Award presenters Fred Durst - singer with rock act Limp Bizkit - and Bonnie Raitt also criticised war plans from the stage, while best female rock vocalist winner Sheryl Crow performed with "No War" written on her guitar strap.

However, unlike the Brit Awards in London last week, anti-war protests were kept low key.

don't know if Springsteen said anything.

According to his website, though, he's got something up with CBS on Friday:

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are set to headline their first broadcast network television special, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND, which will be broadcast on Friday, Feb. 28 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

22:07 / 24.02.03

Fred Durst also said something, although it was hard to tell if he was for the war or against it. Personally, I'm glad there weren't many comments. I couldn't care less about what Sheryl Crow or Fred Durst think about the situation in the Middle East. They aren't experts and they aren't there to preach to the masses. They should just shaddup and play their music.

The only highlight of the Grammy's was when Bruce, Elvis Costello, Little Stevie and Dave Grohl performed The Clash's "London Calling".

Solitaire Rose as Tom Servo

04:49 / 25.02.03

So, if no political statements were allowed, does that mean that U2 wasn't allowed to perform?

I don't know which I hate more, the idea that people are told not to say anything against the war, or listening to people at award shows talking about anything other than thanking a bunch of people we don't know.

05:52 / 25.02.03

Slim: I disagree with most of your last post. There is nothing good about a world in which our artists are dumb entertainers. You seem to know nothing about the spirit of art, music and dissent. But then, you're probably joking, aren't you...

Professor Silly

14:58 / 26.02.03

It seems unfortunate that the only one to say something about the war, that being Fred Durst, showed his utter stupidity by saying "I'm sure we're all in agreeance that this war is a bad idea." Agreeance? AGREEANCE!?! what a dumb-ass!
I also thought the New York Philharmonic turned in a stunning performance...and I have to give the N*Sync tribute to the Bee Gees its due. I may not like their music, but those boys have some tight harmonies. Even the surviving Gibb brothers seemed impressed by the performance.

16:55 / 26.02.03

There is nothing good about a world in which our artists are dumb entertainers.

I don't think that's what Slim is calling for: everyone is entitled to a political opinion, of course, but not all of us have a national platform with which to express that opinion. And, unfortunately, many in the entertainment biz seem to mistake a platform for an obligation: in other words, they're expressing their opinions not because they've really got anything important of unique to say, but simply because they can.

You seem to know nothing about the spirit of art, music and dissent.

Neither do most artists, you must admit. Is the world really crying out to hear what (say) Sheryl Crow has to say about the prospect of war? Why is her opinion more important than, say, mine? Why should she get a forum when I don't?

Do you really believe that celebrities are, by definition, smarter, better-informed, and more compassionate than the rest of us? Put not thy faith in princes, my friend: while many famous folks are doubtless sharp and well-read, a great many more are opportunistic, or knee-jerk, or simply sloppy thinkers.

The utterances of most celebrities (although obviously there are exceptions) bring nothing new to the argument—they simply add to the noise. Wishing that the self-important and the ignorant among us would simply shut up is not about "stifling dissent": it's about raising the level of the debate.

19:25 / 26.02.03

Do you really believe that celebrities are, by definition, smarter, better-informed, and more compassionate than the rest of us?

You'll find nothing of the sort in my last post. Tell me: do you spend much time shouting at invisible people on the street?

I agree that most of those who talk on both sides of the issue have nothing new to say. I don't expect revelations, but I am heartened by the number of people (both with a public voice, and amongst my own circle of friends) who are expressing their disapproval of the current situation. It is good to see a bit of fire restored to people who have silent on specific political issues for far too long, and this includes the music industry.

We can moan about people's apparent lack of intelligence and mixed motives later. For now, the more the merrier.

The Return Of Rothkoid

20:53 / 26.02.03

We can moan about people's apparent lack of intelligence and mixed motives later. For now, the more the merrier.

Yeah, after hordes of fans act on their word, eh?

Hrm.

01:47 / 27.02.03

Why should she get a forum when I don't?

well, the important thing is she does. i think she should to some extent feel obliged to use her platform to speak out. if not famous folks, then who? would you listen to you speaking if you werent actually you?

and what is this about awards shows not being a good time..? surely they are one of the best times for people to show dissent?

A

05:32 / 27.02.03

Unintentionally amusing, yet kinda sad Grammys moment- Sheryl Crow performs with "NO WAR" written on her bass strap, but most of the time, her hair obscures the "NO" leaving only "WAR" visible.